Awareness For E-Cigarette Benefits Goes Up Globally

2/6/2013 1:25 PM ET

Electronic cigarettes—or, ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery systems)—are becoming a popular means for smoking cessation says a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine (February 4).

The study, conducted by researchers at Buffalo, New York's Roswell Park Cancer Institute, collected data from 6,000 individuals through web and phone surveys from July 2010 to June 2011.

Researchers found that, internationally, awareness of ENDS products was 47%, while in the U.S. it was 73%; awareness went down in countries like Australia (20%), where the product is illegal.

"This study represents a snapshot in time of the use of ENDS from mid-2010 to mid-2011. As the market evolves, awareness, trial, and use of ENDS is likely to increase. Should regulatory authorities approve direct claims about reduced harm, one might expect greater adoption of these products, at least among current cigarette smokers," said lead researcher Richard J. O'Connor.

"If credible evidence can be provided to regulators, through independently researched, well-controlled studies, that ENDS reduces the number of cigarette smokers and does not attract use among nonsmokers, then the net public health effect is likely to be positive."